A song influenced by my enjoyment of Thai Luk Thung music and one of the great characters I met in my time in the country.
Asak worked with me to build a large garden; I managed a few morning hours and then sat out the afternoon heat watching him... the ever smiling energiser bunny with a hoe. Given my rudimentary Thai our communications weren`t deep- I sure hope he got my appreciation from the thankyou`s and bottles of Lao Khao.
Listen for Scott`s take on the 3 string Thai Phin ( a kind of electric lute) which is looped through the song.

Robert

Emperor of the Unworthy

RealTracks in song: 3052:Accordion, Rhythm PopRockCory Ev 085
RealTracks in song: 3182:Guitar, Acoustic, Rhythm GrungeUnpluggedQuinn Ev16 090
RealTracks in song: 3155:Mandola, Rhythm AmericanaMountain16thsAndy ev16 070
RealTracks in song: 3442:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm BritPsycFunky Ev16 100
RealDrums [in Song:Americana16thsSyncFred^1-a:QuarterHiHat,Snare , b:QuarterRide,Snare
RT 3156 Fiddle Mountain
Scott: Guitars
Ray: Bass


Emperor of the Unworthy


in drowsy dawn dust recedes
clapped out Suzuki
the man who ploughs the green sea
hand on heart and hoe my friend for centuries

made on a lathe of whisky and work
he`s the hard bark staff
Noah leaned on leaving the Ark
sent out to the field to beat back the dark

shake the sand out of your pan
take the roughcut stone left in your hand
set him on the altar
at the muddy feet of Buddha
in a world gone topsy-turvy
he`s the emperor of the unworthy
hey heyhey hey
hey heyhey hey

each trampled ant every falling leaf
I swoon in shade
watching sermons under the Rain Tree
my friend the hunchback planting light into the sea

shake the sand out of your pan
take the roughcut stone left in your hand
set him on the altar
at the muddy feet of Buddha
in a world gone topsy-turvy
he`s the emperor of the unworthy
hey heyhey hey
hey heyhey hey


© Robert Cordrey Oct. 2020

Nice job of honoring the culture.

Nice job!

Spirit level always offers music to make me sit and think. Think about the message, the music craftsmanship, the production process, and about life in general.

Totally different from what we usually hear on the Forum. I always enjoy thoughtful and well-done music. This fulfills all those expectations. Excellent work!

Wishing all of you and wonderful 2021.

Alan & Do

So different and creative, on all levels! I was especially drawn to the vocal overlaying/harmonizing, done so well. Loved the use of a new/different/unique musical sound component with the "lute". Great work!

Hi, Robert !


What a original and hauntingly
beautiful tune so professionally
performed ! I think this is
one of your absolute best !
Enjoyed it a lot !

Have a Safe and Happy New Year !

Cheers
Dani

Hi Robertkc,

Composition that immerses us in the land of the rising sun. the sound of the Thai Phin 3 string is very pleasant. The lyrics are well thought out. The arrangement is superb. Well done

Kindly regards
Derochette
Alias JaniJackFlash

Robert, Scott, Ray...

A cool sound. Original.

Cool lyric. Nice bass. Good stuff from Scott's guitar.

Nice collaboration.

fj

Beautiful song Robert! This has such a smooth sweet feel to it! The arrangement is excellent! Scott and Ray both did a super job also! Loved the vocal and the processing used as well as the harmony parts! One of your best songs! T

Guys

A lovely ensemble piece. Robert - well sung and nicely arranged, Ray - bass very appropriate and fitting, and Scott plays some tasty guitar - a particularly nice solo.

Well done to all involved.

Peter

hey heyhey hey,
Stuck in the head now. Look what you did!

Spirit Level, another cool experimental tune. Very catchy. No need to wash bones in the river, excellent as a whole. With SL, never know what I will get, there is always an element of surprise. Liked it! I visited Thailand some 20 years ago. Amazing culture! Thank you for sharing.

Misha.

P.S. Now, since Scott got accustomed to 3 string instrument, Russian balalaika tune next?

Good job to all. The tracks all mesh well. Good mix. Good playing and singing. Some real jewels in those lyrics. Nice one.

I never know what to expect with one of your songs, other than it will be very original and very cool.

Good stuff guys, enjoyed!

Thanks Captain!



Alan,
This is quite a personal song and, yes, a bit different for Spirit Level; if Scott hadn`t come through with that nice guitar loop I might have tried it with some sampled Thai folk instruments.
I appreciate your listen and kind thoughts!





Thank you for noticing the vocal layers. The best of the music this draws from is upbeat and often performed by family groups with everyone joining in on harmonies.



Thank you for the positive review, Dani!



Hi Derochette,
I like the way you phrased that comment on "immersion"; life there certainly felt that way.


Robert

Thanks for all the awesome comments. Awhile back Robert sent me some videos of Thai music. One video was of the traditional Thai Phin and an electric version. Very cool sound. The fellow playing made it look so easy. It is almost played like a mandolin. Very fast picking. I normally don't use a pick so trying to emulate a couple of lines took alot of practice. I must say there is some beautiful music being made around the world.

One of the easier Spirit Level tracks to approach. A great intro with catchy guitar hook, I wish that part would have been used more during the song. Another beautiful lyrical landscape. The memorable chorus and heyheys sing-a-long make it close to an instant classic song. The instrumentation, vocals and Scott's playing - everything works together very well, planting richness into the sea of music.

Janne

Glad you liked this, Floyd!




That`s very kind, Torrey- thank you!



Peter,
I agree Scott `s solo is a standout on this. Thanks for your listen and comments.




Misha,
Here at SL we like to surprise and keep our unique customers guessing... I have no doubt Scott could warp the balalaika into something amazing, but you will have to sing that one!

Robert

Hi guys. Your best so far, for mine. Love it. Hey heyhey hey!
Regards,
Leon

Love the imagery of the lyric. And the backstory was a great addition to this excellent tribute.

Fine performances by Scott and Ray (as expected). We enjoyed Scott’s take on the Thai Phin.

As others have mentioned the vocal and harmonies were excellent.

Well done you three!

J&B

Cool song!!! You guys have really developed a signature Spirit Level sound!! Hats off to you finding a rhyme for unworthy Robert! Nice playing Scott! Great stuff guys!! Take care. Greg

Thanks everyone for checking out the song. Your comments are appreciated

Thanks for those positive comments!



Dave,
We`ll be back to stranger sounds in no time-thanks for your support!


I`m glad you liked the lyrics, Janne and found Scott`s guitar catchy.
Listening again I think you`re right- the looped guitar could have come more to the fore in places after the intro.
Very thoughtful comments; thank you!



Thanks Leon!



Your listens and likes are most appreciated J&B!

Robert

This is fantastic. Great lyrics, vocals and a super mix. I really liked your vocal effects, harmony, doubling.

You all should be very proud of this one.

Greg & Mario: thank you for listening and commenting!

Robert