PG Music Home Forums General Discussion User Showcase Cowboy Karma - Spirit Level aka Robert C and Scott C

This is one of our most ambitious projects. Robert did the original backtrack and vocal with a large change in tempo between the verses and choruses and the styles and backtracks struggled with the tempo changes. We ended creating two different versions one at 65 and one at 120. Then blended. To further complicate the production I was using Studio One to do the production, mix and master. Robert uses Realband to do his vocal recording and Reaper to do his final touches. Getting all the settings exactly right especially with time stretching took some trial and error. But it all worked out. Hope you like it.

Cowboy Karma - Video

Cowboy Karma - Soundcloud

Robert Cordrey, lyrics, vocals, video production
Scott Collingwood, lead guitar and fills, soundtrack production
Band in a Box, Leonardo.ai, Kaiber.ai
Mixed and Mastered in Studio One 6
More Spirit Level can be heard at ://soundcloud.com/spiritlevel.ca

The Bands:
File:cowboy karma120.SGU
Key=Em , Tempo 65, Length (m:s)=6:49
No intro. 108 bar chorus, from bar 1 to bar 108. Repeat x1 chorus
No Melody
Soloist track has 341 notes, Soloist harmony is < no harmony >(0)
Song is saved with Volume, Pan, Reverb, Chorus, Bank0,
Song is saved with bar changes for Tempo, Styles, Notation layout,
Style is _CHARMER.STY (Charmer Modern Pop Country)

RealTracks in style: 4028:Bass, Electric, ModernCountry8ths Ev 120
RealTracks in style: 4421:Guitar, Lap Steel, Background CountryPopGritty Ev 120
RealTracks in style: 4054:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm ModernCountryStraightPowerRiff Ev 120
RealTracks in style: 4052:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm ModernCountryStraightHighRiff Ev 120
RealTracks in song: 3267:Cello, Background CelticAirFlowingNatalie Ev 085
RealTracks in style: 4055:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm ModernCountryStraightHighHeld Ev 120
RealTracks in style: 4053:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm ModernCountryStraightTremoloHeld Ev 120
RealDrums in style:NashvilleEven8^5-a:Snare, HiHat , b:Snare, Ride

Title: cowboykarma65
File:cowboy karma65.SGU
Key=Em , Tempo 65, Length (m:s)=6:49
No intro. 108 bar chorus, from bar 1 to bar 108. Repeat x1 chorus
No Melody
Soloist track has 327 notes, Soloist harmony is < no harmony >(0)
Song is saved with Volume, Pan, Reverb, Chorus, Bank0,
Song is saved with bar changes for Tempo, Styles, Notation layout,
Style is _DRVCBAL.STY (Slow Driving Country Ballad)

RealTracks in style: 366:Bass, Electric, Country Ev 065
RealTracks in style: 702:Guitar, Acoustic, Strumming Spirited Ev 065
RealTracks in style: 803:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm DrivingCountryBalladClean Ev 065
RealTracks in style: 806:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm DrivingCountryBalladDirty Ev 065
RealTracks in song: 3267:Cello, Background CelticAirFlowingNatalie Ev 085
RealTracks in song: 842:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm PopBalladSlowGritty Ev 065 (A:arp)
RealTracks in song: 843:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm PopBalladSlowGritty Ev 065 (B:heavy)
RealDrums in style:NashvilleEven16^5-a:Snare, HiHat , b:Snare, Ride

Cowboy Karma

if you`re sitting comfortably
then lets begin
previously on Cowboy Karma
you`ll recall it was a real close thing
the camera draws attention
a tattoo on the exit ring
death where is thy sting
death where is thy sting

cue to opening scenes
a twist on the fable
come into the field little brother
Cain is shot by Able
no more innocent than his kin
around the card table
looking fine in American sable
fine in American sable

its the outrage of the age
you`re fooled most of the time
bad blood brothers
will hijack your mind
on Cowboy Karma

in old tales of knights and dragons
you knew who would win
all those western movies
the redemption of broken men
though he knows he`s his brother`s keeper
a good man`s patience grows thin
will our hero slay his kin
will our hero slay his kin


its the outrage of the age
you`re fooled most of the time
bad blood brothers
good and evil intertwined
on Cowboy Karma
bad blood brothers
tune in with Prime
on Cowboy Karma


© Robert Cordrey Jan. 2025

Scott & Robert,

Obviously a LOT of work went into this.
It pays off. The changes work perfectly.
An amazing production.
Cool write.
Nice guitar work

Truly Theatrical. Tasty.
Impressive.

fj

Scott / Robert,

Wow! Epic in all ways. The write, vocals and production is amazing. I can appreciate the effort that went into this project.

You both should be very proud.

Loved it!

Bob

Ennio Morricone goes to Mars and comes back with...what IS this? It's, it's...AMAZING. You guys really cranked it up for this one. Nicely updated cowboy theme, and that guitar is doing some crazy stuff back there.

Feeling your pain on cross platform collaboration challenges. Can't tell it from your results though. Sounds...AMAZING (again)!

Hi Scott.

I listened to this on Soundcloud and I have to say that you and Robert have excelled.
This is an intense, first-class musical and lyrical journey.
It's easy to hear how much effort has gone into this production and these lyrics.
I tip my hat to both you.
This is a very worthy addition to the the Spirit Level songbook

--Noel

The lead parts in the B section are really aggressive and spot on for the zone.

Hi, Scott.

Epic sound - vocals and guitars.

Nice job blending the tempos - as noted, a lot of effort, but it works. Everything is glued and smoothed and cohesive, despite the disparate origins.

Thanks Floyd, Bob, and Ron for checking out the song.. Really glad you liked this as this one went back into the oven a few time. Glad we did not over cook it. :-)

WOW!! What a learning experience, huh? And it resulted in such a cool song like no other. I really like the build, the tear down, and Phoeonix-like rise back up. I listened several timesand my eyes grew wider with each. The video is extraordinarily creative, too. Tempo changes are seamless. You guys are consistently coming up with some exceptionally good material.

Scott and Robert, an epic piece of music
A spaghetti western music at its finest
Outstanding work on blending those two tempos
Great vocal and guitar work
One of your best for sure

PS - I just have to add that this is good and not bad or ugly! Ducking and running for cover.

Love SL, what a treat this was. I'd like to see the Coen brothers use it in one of their Westerns. Seriously. It would be perfect.

A truly ambitious song, there seems to be no limit for your inspiration, from space to history and beyond. You have really overcome the challenges and created yet another Spirit Level masterpiece. Tempo changes work splendidly and create aggressivity the strong and intriguing lyrics twiddling the theme of the Western require. Very modern sound. I enjoyed Scott's captivating riffs and Robert's expressive and haunting voice. Great work with the video also.

Janne

I love the creativity and ambition in Spirit Level songs. I really enjoyed the change in tempos. Very dramatic!

The lyric reminded both of us of the series West World (very enjoyable).

That is on funky space cowboy guitar - cool.
A new genre.

Trippy video that well supports the audio production.

All that complex work re tempo changes, different DAWs, etc is head spinning.

But the results speak for themselves - you were definitely successful! Anthemic.

Enjoyed it!

J&B

I love the unique Spirit Level sound. You worked out the time changes well. These are some of Robert's best lyrics. Your guitar is exactly what the song needs to put it on another level. Haunting and dystopic.

Thanks Noel, Ray, David, Marty and Mario for checking out the song. Really appreciate your comments and glad you liked the song..

Thanks TM, Janne, Waoband, Janice and Bud, and Scott. Really appreciate your comments and glad you liked the song.

Love the time changes! Excellent vocal from Robert, and lovely, melodic playing from you.

Definitely my new favorite Spirit Level song, well done.