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Scott C Offline OP
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This song is the second part of a series Robert was writing. It is part 2 from Cowboy Karma.

Robert and I have decided to put Spirit Level up on the shelf. We start liking each others music back in 2017 and tried a few collaborations that produced over 75 songs . We have had some of the other forum members join us over the years and would like to thank them again for their help.
Robert and I became good friends over the years and are really proud of the work that we have created. The support from the forum has been one of the key factors in being able to develop these songs and over course the wonder product Band in a Box which made all this possible in the first place.

Shadowlands of Eden - Soundcloud

Spirit Level is:
Robert Cordrey, lyrics, vocals, and music production
Scott Collingwood, lead guitar and fills, soundtrack production
Band in a Box
Mixed and Mastered in Studio One 6

For the guitar geeks:
Guitars Gibson Les Paul, Gretsch Duojet
Helix LT for Amps and Effects. There are two amps blended together. Marshall Plexi and Grammatco GSG based on Dumble Overdrive.
Some compression, delay and reverb.

The band:
Key=Dm , Tempo 90, Length (m:s)=4:34
13 bar intro, 87 bar chorus, from bar 14 to bar 100. Repeat x1 chorus
Melody has 327 notes, Melody harmony is < no harmony >(0)
No Soloist track.
Song is saved with Volume, Pan, Reverb, Chorus, Bank0,
Song is saved with bar changes for Tempo,
Style is _BEET.STY (Beet Indie Folk Groove)

RealTracks in song: 366:Bass, Electric, Country Ev 065
RealTracks in style: 3644:Guitar, Acoustic, Fingerpicking IndieFolkAlternate Ev16 085
RealTracks in song: 3182:Guitar, Acoustic, Rhythm GrungeUnpluggedQuinn Ev16 090
RealTracks in style: 2875:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm AmericanaTremoloSlow128Colin Sw 040
RealTracks in song: 842:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm PopBalladSlowGritty Ev 065 (A:arp)
RealDrums in style:Soul70sEv16^1-a:Snare, Closed Hihat , b:Snare, Busy Kick

Shadowlands of Eden
(cowboy karma pt2)

cowboy karma`s never over
til bad blood falls
to mortal sin
sit back and we`ll devine
the mind of our darker twin

I told myself a story
my dreams would have a script
Chance in my arms in our movie
before my best lines were stripped

we`d ride far past Virtue
her heat under that green gown
care nothing for their curfew
in starlight we`d drown

infamous names
Able and Cain`s
epitaph reads "Revenge"
written cross the heavens
in the shadowlands
the shadowlands of Eden

hiding for her in ambush
fiction my Chance betrayed
until the scales are even, brother
I`ll risk all disgrace

infamous names
freeze the frame
their epitaph reads "Revenge"
written cross the heavens
in the shadowlands
shadowlands of Eden

consider things of beauty
young girl`s eyes
a hawk in flight
asking how love turns to cruelty
we wish you a serene goodnight


© Robert Cordrey March, 2025


Scott Collingwood
https://soundcloud.com/scottt709
https://soundcloud.com/spiritlevel-ca
https://www.youtube.com/@SpiritLevel-ge3hm/
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Scott / Robert,

My new favorite from Spirit Level...

Mysterious, beautiful and expertly produced. Love everything about this.

Bob

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Scott and Robert, spooky, ethereal and utterly worthy of the Spirit Level catalog. That slide guitar is insane, and sets a scrumptious tone. Heck, ALL the guitars are just too cool and perfect. Robert's vocals are achingly plaintive, and the early section where the backing vocals slip into dissonance creates just the right unsettling feeling. Super production, too.

The two of you produce some of the coolest, most original music I listen to, and I always get a thrill of anticipation when I see one of your new songs posted on the forum. "On the shelf" is ambiguous, but it still makes me a little sad.

Love your music!


DC Ron
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Too many guitars (is that a thing?)
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Robert and Scott,
I agree with Bob Dean - very mysterious writing. I have my theories, but sometimes it’s best to let the mystery remain. All of this was couched within a wonderful soundscape created by the guitars, and I sensed that musically, that was intended because vocals and guitars had equal footing. Those guitars did the job intended. In terms of mix, I would have preferred the drums and bass to have a tad more volume, unless it was my ears? Robert’s vocal conjures up a sense of tragedy and woe which fitted the lyrics perfectly.

Overall, a very emotive soundscape. Well done on this song and your very productive collaboration!

Andrew

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Love the guitar breaks in this last lyrically poetic Spirit Level song - assuming from what you wrote that it's either the last venture, or there'll be a long pause before anything new arises. I shall miss both Spirit Level songs and videos!


Some favourite Waoist Adages:
#1: Play on the Way.
#13: Ask not for whom the flower blooms, it blooms for you.
#58: Bring consciousness to it.
#63: On the road to effortlessness, effort must be made.
#92: Be Love Now, the rest will come on its own.
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Wow! This sounds great you two!

Excellent lyrics, music, production, guitar, everything!

Really enjoyed this a lot. Loved the guitar fade out.

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I'm a huge Spirit Level fan and sad to learn of its demise, but I gotta ask: 75 songs? I'm missing quite a few somewhere. I came to the forum in 2019, does that explain it? Anyway, this is a great followup and full of lyrical goodness as I've come to expect from SL I'm counting on the two of you to participate here in some new way - hope that's true. It was a great ride!!


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Robert and Scott, man you guys blew me away with this one. Loved the vocal and guitar licks - brilliant work on both. The lyrics were awesome. An outstanding mix.
Loved it.

PS - I hope that Spirit Level is just in hiatus and will be back sometime soon.


Back in my day the only time we started panic buying was when the bartender shouted "last call"!

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Scott,
it's good that you've set yourself up with your own posts of solo stuff on the forum - you've another existence beyond Spirit Level.
Some very fine melodic playing on this one.


Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
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Scott C Offline OP
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Bob, Ron, and Andrew thanks for checking out the song. Really glad you liked the song.


Scott Collingwood
https://soundcloud.com/scottt709
https://soundcloud.com/spiritlevel-ca
https://www.youtube.com/@SpiritLevel-ge3hm/
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WOW. I just realized what happens EVERYtime I hear your Spirit Level. My body sinks in the chair in a very realxed state that a yogi would be proud of, and my whole being becomes emersed in the sounds. I really like Robert's vocals and, man, those lyrics are always something that makes me return for more. Your guitar work, Scott, is always something extraordinary in what it adds to each song. Tone and taste are unmatched. Oddly (maybe) Larry Carlton. I went back to "Cowboy Karma" for a refresher course. Yep, still very refreshing.


Enjoy whatever happens!
marty

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Hi Scott.
Excellent song.
Robert sings really cool again.
He has such a special way of singing. Really great.
Your guitar parts and the solo are excellent. Plus the top sound of your Gibson.
An absolutely top production!
Andi :-)

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Scott C Offline OP
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Thanks Chay, David, TM, Mario and Ray. Your comments are very much appreciated. Glad you liked the song


Scott Collingwood
https://soundcloud.com/scottt709
https://soundcloud.com/spiritlevel-ca
https://www.youtube.com/@SpiritLevel-ge3hm/
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First, sorry to hear that Spirit Level is on the shelf - hopefully not forever. You two gentlemen have posted some of the most interesting and dynamic music on the forum.

This is a great sound - haunting, captivating, and an ear magnet. Robert has the ideal voice for your productions. And your guitar work and production are superb.

Loved the ending where everything faded except the guitar - cool!

Great song - super listen. Good luck to both of you. Looking forward to your individual productions in the future.

Alan


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I'm so sorry to hear that Spirit Level is taking a break. When I was a newbie on this forum, I benefitted so much from the encouragement and kindness shown by both Robert and yourself, Scott. Your support has been unwavering ... thank you. And Spirit Level's own music ... wow. Genuinely one of my favourites, always mystical, often with hard-to-decipher lyrics from Robert, which nevertheless speak to the heart ... enveloped in mysterious harmonies and somehow ethereal vocal deliveries. I will miss it all.

This song: beautiful. Absolutely beautiful. Trademark harmonies. The lyrics hint at darkness - and, alike many good lyrics, easily understandable if one doesn't try to understand them, but feel them, instead. Robert's vocals soar, your guitar playing is communicative as always. Love the guitar ending.

What a song to rest the mic on. THANK YOU for all the joys you've brought us through so many years.

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Every time I listen to a new song from you guys, I am impressed all over again.
You create such a unique, mystical, haunting spaghetti western prog sound that it's only a matter of time until Quentin Tarantino discovers you guys for his next movie soundtrack.
Enjoyed my listen.
A lot!

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Sounds great Scott and Robert!

I'm a big fan of the Spirit Level project, I think the music you produce is not only top quality, but also totally unique and original, and I'm sorry to read that you are packing it in frown

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Hi Scott.

You and Robert are a powerhouse. I love the guitar work and the production. Coupled with Robert's lyrics, the overall effect is a musical journey that is moody and mysterious. I loved it. You've both done a great job (again!).

--Noel


MY SONGS...
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Hi, Scott & Robert.

I love how the song starts out dreamy, and then moves to a faster, but still subtle beat.

Robert's lyrics and delivery are languid, and the guitars set a western sound that's wide and expansive as the lyrics.

Excellent work! smile


-- David Cuny

My virtual singer development blog
Vocal control, you say. Never heard of it. Is that some kind of ProTools thing?

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Scott & Robert,

You guys have made some excellent music as Spirit Level. (or ... a lot)
It gets better all the time.
(And the Rock-i-er the better).
Original. Fascinating.
I am a fan.

This is excellent.
Cool vocals. Sweet guitar. Good mix.

The Band will be missed.

Thanks for the music.
Already looking forward to the reunion tour.

fj

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