A young hitchhiker gets picked up by a guy somewhat out of touch with the modern world...they start talking.
One of the first rock songs I wrote, memories of the conversations you have with strangers while travelling by the rule of thumb were fresher than they are now.
I updated a few cultural references for this outing and Scott strapped on his PRS (with the whammy thing).


Changing Horses

Style is _MARCHON.STY (March On - Determined Country)

RealTracks in style: 1190:Bass, Electric, ModernRnBRock Ev 065
RealTracks in style: 842:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm PopBalladSlowGritty Ev 065 (A:arp)
RealTracks in style: 843:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm PopBalladSlowGritty Ev 065 (B:heavy)
RealTracks in style: 1543:Synth Pad, PopBelieve Ev16 065
RealDrums [in style:BluesRockEv^1-a:Snare, HiHat , b:Snare, Open HiHat

Mixed in Reaper/Mastered Ozone8


Changing Horses

hitchhiker says I lost one headlight
AM died without a fight
welcome to earth are you from the moon
yeah Houston I`ve got a problem too

the kid can`t sing Oblada Obladi
says no one cares who shot Kennedy
so you`ve been off grid since the 60`s sound
Mr you better turn around

or we could join forces
that`s ok kid I`m just
changing horses
changing horses

between white knuckles and blind devotion
I let the kid drive to a white collar ocean
where iphone apostles promenade
bowing heads to the latest deep fake

the Valiant surrendered where SUV`s coil
lined up for the last snake oil
we could both learn from history
I hear Joe Frazier forgave Ali

ok kid we join forces
looks like we`re both
changing horses
changing horses

this is where crosses were in flames
this is how we turn gold to rain

last chance for choices
everybody`s
changing horses
changing horses

© Robert Cordrey 1997

Another eclectic song Rob.
I like the 1960's references.
Scott's guitar is sure booming out.
The whole mix sounds like a live recording.
Congrats to all involved. Rob4580

Hitchhiking was part of my highschool years, used to hitchhike all over the place, everyone did back then. Certainly met some interesting characters! And when I got my first car I used to pick hitchhiker's up. Never even thought twice about any possible danger doing that. Simpler times I guess!

Rich imagery with the lyrics, as always they make you think. My favorite:
"between white knuckles and blind devotion
I let the kid drive to a white collar ocean"

Track sounds great, I like the way you pan the vocal to separate the two characters, very effective.

Nice licks from Scott, I especially like what he did around the chorus sections.

Very cool, Robert and Scott!

Hi Robert & Scott ...

This is one of the most interesting songs I've heard on the forum in a long time! The initial thing that grabbed my attention as the first verse played out was the interesting panning of the vocal. It was accomplished very subtly with no jolting change. Nice! It compliments the haunting effect of the mix. Really cool song! Enjoyed my listen! Best to you both ...

Alan

Robert / Scott,

Love the Jefferson Airplane vibe that this has. Some great lines and a cool vocal Robert.

Scott really lays in some great guitar phrases here - excellent!

Bob

Really well done! Some really great lyrics on this one, and your vocals are the perfect vehicle for them. That aside, I found it nicely catchy and the mix to be top notch. It is definitely attention grabbing.

Thanks for sharing

Bob mentioned Jefferson Airplane and that's what comes to mind for us.

It really captures the best of that era while ignoring the excesses.

The write, your vocal and the mixing are topnotch along with the arrangement (love the panning).

Scott throws in some tasty and nuanced guitar -- no surprise there!

"Changing Horses"...that is an extraordinarily cool way of setting up the theme. Nice.

Keep it going you two.

J&B

Robert & Scott,

Nice work! Unusual and mysterious tune. Has very unique overall feel, gem in rough!
I finished listening to it, but Scott's "whammy thing" still rings in my head

Enjoyed this much. Thank you for sharing!

Misha.

Rob,
Thanks for that- glad you liked the song.



Dave,
I like those chorus licks Scott plays too!
Folks met hitching tended to be free with conversation (you`ll probably never meet again, right?)- I got an earful of some wild opinions a few times... and was invited to spell out the driver more than once ( years before I had a license).
Thanks very much for your positive review.






Alan,
The vocal seemed confusing without panning - couldn`t think of an example ( other than duets) so a bit of a risk- I`m happy you thought it worked.
Thanks for your listen and comments.

Robert

I missed the whole hitch-hiking era. I was too young for it and always warned against ever doing it, but I did see the occasional hitch-hiker on the side of the road, but since I've gotten older I now don't see any anymore.

Anyways, really great song! Thanks for sharing.

It's definitely got that "vibe" to it. I enjoyed the listen!

Strongly poetic lyric. I like the panning change for the two characters. The band is solid, and Scott's whammy is insane. Quite the adventurous listen.

Hitchhiking was a pretty common thing when I was a teenager as well. A couple of friends and myself hitchhiked in to Winnipeg to see Woodstock. Got picked up by a bunch of hippies in a VW van. No kidding. There could have be Charles Manson disciples. Very creepy. Was glad to reach our destination.

We did this song a little differently. Robert was still working on the vocal so I just received the backtrack. This song has such a cool chord progression. I didn't know if the melodies I was creating would go with his vocal but was very happy went he sent the first mix. Glad the song is being so well received..

THis is s SUPER creative song, and a SUPER song!!! Maybe my fave of yours Robert! And Scott's guitar really adds to the vibe! Wonderful, clever imaginative lyrics! A real treat all around!!! Take care. Greg

Robert (& Scott)...

Nice use of drums only for the opening - and a great drum sound!! And cool guitar effect.

An excellent psych-rock write. Cool lines everywhere. Cinematic and theatrical. Cool story, well told with the two voices...

A good band and a good mix. Really good vocals - "in the mix" so nicely...


Scott's guitar work in this is outstanding. Love that ending!

A terrific listen!

fj

Bob,
I think the bridge is the most Airplane part.
Thanks for your listen and likes!



Thank you, Deryk!




J&B,
Good to hear you approve of that vocal panning thing.Thanks for all your kind comments.
Excesses of the era?? Those are my favourite parts!

Robert

Misha,
Yes, those whammy notes kind of tickle the cranium!
Thanks for your comments.



Ember,
I`d probably be horrified if my son told me he was off hitchhiking... and it occurs to me that the "era" would have been much shorter lived if social media had been around to publicise what really went on!
Thanks for listening.




Thanks David!

Robert

Liked it a lot, especially the guitar, lyrics were very good as well.

Glad you thought the panned vocals work.Thanks for the positive comments.



Greg,
This one sat in the file unheard by anyone for 30 years...just couldn`t see playing it at the open mic venues. Its nice to have a way to put it out now ( and throw in the line about iphones to bring it up to date!)
First listening to Scott`s whammy sound I wasn`t sure- now I think its amazing.
Thanks for your kind revue.

Robert

Thanks for all those postives,Floyd!



Thank you!

Robert

Thanks everyone for the awesome comments they are appreciated.

Liked the subtle but noticeable vocal panning. Liked the chord progression with just a hint of exotic flavor.

Robert & Scott,

Nice collaboration as usual.
Yes, this is Jefferson Airplane as others said.
Scott's guitar work in this is outstanding.
Very clear mix.
Enjoyed my listen a lot.

Best regards.

Shigeki Adachi

Mark K & Shigeki:Thanks for listening and commenting.

West Coast gentle psych.
I'm not sure of the whammy part, (it did hark back to the Osmonds' Crazy Horses though), in the intro but otherwise this is a cool piece that is well arranged and performed. Ornamental guitar is lovely.

The awesome is strong in this one. Talent always breaks thru the noise. No nitpicks on this tune. Admire the lyrics, mix and creative vision. Nice work.

Rick

The Osmonds,really? I`ll check out that song, but like that " West Coast gentle psych"tag- seems to fit most of Scott/Robert collabs.
Thanks for your comments.



Thanks Rick... does everything need more cowbell?

Robert

Hi Robert and Scott,

This a very interesting journey! Listening in headphones, it's kind of like watching tennis as the panning moves from favouring the left to favouring the right and back again. It's a very neat effect that you've created.

Scott, your guitar work sits really, really comfortably in this creation and showcases Robert's singing and songwriting excellently.

Robert, your lyrics are a very visual slideshow of thoughts in hi-fi imagery... very imaginative.

The mix is terrific. Everything sounds really clear and sits well together.

I enjoyed where you both took. Thank you.
Noel

Robert,

Kind of a Chris Isaaks sound here . . . but with a pop-alt feel. Really nice blend of styles—even hear just a bit of R.E.M. in this. Really well put together . . . slick, gravitating sound. And love those instrumental breaks. Great stuff!

Best regards,

Deej

Nicely written & mixed...
Great guitar from Scott...
I really enjoyed listening to your collaboration!