David and Rachel Radio 2.15.23: New Release_PENELOPE

Hey Y'all,

Here is the latest offering from Rachel and David. This week is my turn to sing.

A few weeks ago, Rachel sent me the lyrics to something called Penelope, which she said just kind of popped into her head. Five minutes later I sent her back a verse and chorus with just acoustic guitar, only a few minor tweaks on some words.

Ten minutes later she emailed back and said:

“Don’t add anything else to the song but that. Please.”

So I didn’t.

As is our new custom, links to our recently released stuff will be in our weekly updates below the current song’s lyrics just for convenience and to eliminate the clutter—in case you missed something and are dying to hear it.

Rachel and I are approaching a state of “pure collaboration” where the product is organic, and some mystical combination of the energy we each bring to each composition. It is hard to describe, but it is fun beyond belief.


PENELOPE

https://soundcloud.com/rachelanddavidworktapes/penelope

By Rachel Cintula and David Snyder

V1

Lived a life of corners and hard lines
Hardly moving to the beat of time
Telling myself that every day was fine
Until I heard of a girl who walks the shore
Outside the lines

CH

And she lives like it's supposed to be
Beyond this world of tragedy
Only the tides tell her who she should be
Dancing with the waves
Penelope

V2

I found that girl and made her mine
Stopped thinking each day needed some design
Escaping where corners and lines combine
Now I live with surf and spray, and breeze blowing on my face

CH

I watch her live like it's supposed to be
Beyond this world of tragedy
Only the tides tell her who she should be
Dancing with the waves of the sea
Penelope

BR

And I call to her
And she calls to me
Drawn by the moon
Into the sea

CH

And we live like it's supposed to be
Beyond this world of tragedy
Only the tides tell us who we should be
Dancing with the waves
It's just me
It's just me
And Penelope

All music and lyrics copyright 2023 by Rachel Cintula and David Snyder

David Snyder: Vocal, Solo Acoustic Guitar

Other links for the week and month:

https://soundcloud.com/rachelanddavidworktapes/big-wide-open-road
https://soundcloud.com/rachelanddavidworktapes/when-it-rains
https://soundcloud.com/rachelanddavidworktapes/thick-thighs
https://soundcloud.com/rachelanddavidworktapes/church-girls
https://soundcloud.com/david-snyder-gigs3/one-more-whiskey-song
https://soundcloud.com/david-snyder-gigs3/dirty-hands-clean-money
https://soundcloud.com/david-snyder-gigs3/dire-straits
https://soundcloud.com/rachelanddavidworktapes/creek-day
https://soundcloud.com/david-snyder-gigs3/make-me-love-again

OK, It's official I am a fan! This one is perfect! Rachel was right, don't add anything. Sometimes with this program it's far too easy to add too much because it sounds so dang good and it is so dang easy to do. I think we all find it hard to keep things sparse and to remember the simple beauty of a guitar and a single voice. Good emotive vocal and nice repeating signature lick. Beautifully conceived and written. Magic, Tom

Superb. David's voice and music + Rachel's lyrics = miraculous end result. Can't wait to hear more from you two, you each have more talent in your little fingers than would usually be fair for anyone to have :-) - and you're putting it to good use :-)

David / Rachel,

Absolutely superb...

This is simply outstanding music. I love everything you two are doing.

Bob

I agree with Rachel, this is pretty much perfect just the way it is I think, anything more would get in the way.

Excellent write! And a great vocal. Lovely job on the acoustic too, great sound.

Really good you two, very much enjoyed!

I am sorry to inform you that your song must be removed from the forum because it was not created with PG products.
That's the law!


I think Rachel was 100% right, the song is perfect as it is now. I see a producer career ahead of her

And your vocals are really good, I think your voice sounds best when you don't challenge it in too high registers.

Great lyrics, really unique and touching, something truly "outside the lines".
The guitar sounds perfect for the message and doesn't hide David's fragile voice full of emotion, when a song has everything in those simple components, it doesn't need anything else.
The bridge is stunning, really love those chords and the melody.
Amazing work! I could say much more, but I have to leave something for your next masterpiece

Janne

The dynamic duo hit another one out of the park.
Great lyrics!
Rachel was right. All that was needed was an acoustic guitar and a super vocal.
I could hear John Prine singing this one.
Outstanding work, i.e. a real masterpiece.

Hey thanks Tommy!

I love the songs you have been doing lately too man!

So much good stuff around here.

Thanks for the listen and the kind words!

David & Rachel,
Good collaboration on this sad tune. Strong lyrics & emotional performance.
Thank you for sharing.

Misha.

David and Rachel:

You two are on a roll . . . very impressive write and performance. I agree the stripped down approach to this production was the way to go. Love that guitar work following the first chorus and there beyond—that little bit more emphasis providing an engaging hook in and of itself. Great stuff, you two—just wonderful!

My best to you both,

Deej

Yep - less is more. I can easily imagine drums, cello, all sorts of stuff. But it works just fine as is.

I enjoyed this one a lot. Nice work, the two of you!

Hi David and Rachel,

I start with saying I agree with David (above my post); Less is best (sometimes). It is!
Beautiful guitarplay, very nice melody and beautiful lyrics...
Ohh and a great voice too, David.
I was giving soo much compliments and then forgot that ;-)

And you sang a little different from what I used to; more humble and serious.
Is that what Rachel did to you?

But whatever it was, I really like this song a lot. Still 'Penelope' is sounding in my head...

Hans

Love that attainment of pure collaboration and the uncanny moments of creation it brings. So happy to be a recipient. Thanks. Man, those lyrics are so good. Right from the very first line. "Only the tides tell her who she should be." Love it all! Excellent recording. Rachel & David. Yeah, that's a good group.

Cool song in so many ways.

I gave you my comments at the meeting Wed nite so I will reserve those here.

It's good to see collaboration going on in our various groups. Collaboration takes everything to a new level when it's done right and you guys seem to be on the right path.

I'm not yet accustomed to the new presentation custom but I'm getting there.
The playing on the is SPOT ON. Imperfectly perfect.
There were a couple of spots where I thought a double tracked vocal would be nice or a unison part but inessential.
Lovely narrative.

Thanks James!

I really appreciate that!

Thank you so much!

Hey Bob,

Thanks for the listen and the kind words.

That really means a lot!!

Thanks Dave!

I have been loving all your new stuff as well.

I think 2023 is going to be a great year!!

Thanks BD!

David & Rachel,

An exceptional write.
So very original.
An expressive vocal.
Well done.

fj

You two did a great job on the song! Also agree that sometimes it's better to keep things simple instead of adding too much. Can you add more, of course. Could you strip it back further, yuppers. It's KNOWING where and when to do that...which you showcased very well.

Overall, it was a really good collaboration and I'm excited to hear more from you two! Great job!

Thanks Janne!

I have really been enjoying your songs too this year!

Thanks Mario,

I really appreciate that!

Thanks so much for the listen and the kind words Misha. It means a lot!

Thanks DJ!

That means a lot coming from a songsmith like you!!

Thanks David, that is very sweet of you. Thanks so much for the listen!

Thanks Hans,

Your beautiful and kind comments are very much appreciated!!

Thanks Marty!

I always appreciate your feedback so much!

Thank Herb,

I appreciate that my friend!!

David

Lovely song, nicely done. Enjoyed the guitar part throughout.

Good stuff.

Peter

Thanks Ray! I appreciate your kind words.

As for the layout, c'mon man you are a scholar and a professor! I'm sure you will figure it out!

Thanks Floyd. We both appreciate that so much.

Thanks Carin, I mean C'Aaron, I mean...oh whatever!!!



No really, thanks so much. We really appreciate that!!



Nice to see you.

You been a stranger.

Thanks Peter. That is very kind.

Thanks so much for the listen.

Love this intro on this tune David. Really cool vocal. Lovely lyric. Acoustic was perfect for this tune. Well done

“And we live like it's supposed to be
Beyond this world of tragedy”

Yeah!

This is our fav of yours and Rachel’s so far.

She was right!

J&B

Fantastic collaboration on the lyrics. Top of your collab effort so far.

The lone guitar works so well on this.

I'm a bit late on this. Work keeps me over busy, so I miss some songs.

David,

For a moment I wondered if some new guitar RealTracks was used.
No no. This is your performance.
I can't believe this was born in 5 minutes
You are definitely a genuine singer-songwriter.
Enjoyed my listen a lot.

Best regards.

Shigeki Adachi

"I found that girl and made her mine
Stopped thinking each day needed some design"

What a gem.

Congrats on your collaboration success.

Scott