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This is the next song in my series of stories from South Africa and other places. It is the story of a township boy who goes off to audition for Idols. I used Floyd’s choir claps for this one so you will need to hang in there till near the end to hear them. I hope you enjoy it and any comments, as always, are most welcome! South African Idol on Youtube South African Idol on Soundcloud Real Tracks in song RealTracks in style: 1415:Bass, Electric, PopSw16RootFive Sw16 075 RealTracks in song: 1725:Piano, Acoustic, Rhythm CountryBalladJohn Ev 065 RealTracks in song: 1595:Guitar, Acoustic, Fingerpicking Pop8thsSteady Ev 065 RealTracks in song: 1002:Guitar, 12-String Acoustic, Rhythm ClassicRockA-B Ev16 065 RealDrums in Song: NashvilleEven8^7-a,b:Snare, HiHat Floyds Choir Clap user track BossRockPercussion Song Lyrics With a cobra polish tin And a two by two with Wire Sipho learns to play and sing A township nightingale Sittin’ solemn ‘neath the trees Gods praises have begun The elders ask for him to lead the others in a song Chorus Laughing a song clapping a song stomping a song Drumming a song Living a song Loving a song Living a song loving a song Earnest with his wallet fat Hears his cousin sing You should enter idols man I’m sure that you could win You can win a larney car Recording contract too Joburg is not very far It’s what you should really do Chorus Sipho braves the blazing sum 10,000 people there TV cameras having fun The judges sit and star Sipho he is very shy He sings his worship song “If you can’t sing in English man We can’t take you alone Chorus Sipho’s home with granny In township’s evening dust These white guys they are crazy man He tells her with a shrug
Last edited by JosieC; 03/17/14 01:42 AM.
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Joanne,
This is excellent! Love the song and video... Very nice job.
Bob
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You definitely have a smooth musical style that is yours.
Love the melody, especially the chorus. Your vocal is sweet and the harmonies support nicely. It builds dynamically to the end, and has me singing along.
Everything sits well in the mix, and a surprise ending to boot:) Perfect.
Clever title too.
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That brings back memories. As a kid I tried to build an instrument out of a cobra polish tin and a broom handle. 
Chris
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Hi Joanne,
The big ending with the choir really punches up the chorus and compliments your voice.
Nice work on the video.
Josie
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Nice work, as always!! I think it might be interesting to mix the content of the chorus (----a song) with alternating lines. Just a thought. Take care. Keep up the great work. Greg
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Hi All. I have updated the original post with the link to the Soundcloud page for those who would prefer to listen to the song that way.
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Robert - Thanks for the nice comments and also for commenting on Youtube.
Scott - Thanks for that! Glad you liked the surprise ending. Not quite what you would expect hey?
Sinbad - I thought Cobra polish was a South African thing but obviously not. I wonder how many other kids gave it a try.
Josie - Thanks for listening and for your nice comments as usual. The choir was a different challenge for me.
Greg - Thanks for listening and commenting. I am not too sure what you mean about alternating the lines on the chorus. Can you enlighten me?
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Good video, song and story. I bet there are 10,000 stories close to that at every idol audition (in all sorts of languages!). It should register with a lot of folks. Nice performance, as usual.
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Reading the lyrics, I wasn't so sure about this song, but I opted to view the video.
I'm certainly glad I did. Good song, good job.
I think you captured the spirit of the musicians who, simply for the love of music, play their instruments and sing. I think you also nailed how the pop culture is not looking for musically talented folks, but ones who fit a certain mold.... perhaps that they look a certain way, and speak a certain way.
Nice work. Great job on the video. That video really fits that song into it's proper perspective.
Last edited by Guitarhacker; 03/17/14 03:42 AM.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both. The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
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Sinbad - I thought Cobra polish was a South African thing but obviously not. I wonder how many other kids gave it a try. It is, I used to live in Mosselbaai
Chris
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Wonderful audio and video. Kudos re the vocals, instrumental support and arrangement. But....what impressed us the most is how you are able to take a subject that is so contextual to your culture and experience and make it available to folks like us. And, make it understood and meaningful. That may be what folk music is, or should be, all about. Thanks for sharing this.
J&B
Our albums and singles are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora and more. If interested search on Janice Merritt. Thanks! Our Videos
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Joanne,
Super job! Good write! Good vocal. Good mix. A long way from that girl who was hesitant to remove "aspiring"...
Great job on the choir! You did not even mention how you did that... BIABettes? - sounds really good, whatever it is... nice use of the claps!
Terrific video (terrific story). Well done.
floyd
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Hi Kevin. Thanks for the listen. Nice to have you back on the forum after FAWM. Hope we are going to hear some of your FAWM songs on the Jelly.
Herb - Thanks for these comments and for giving the song a chance. I think a lot of talent falls by the wayside on these competitions because of other factors (other than being able to sing and perform. Looks is one that comes to mind immediately.)
Chris – Small world! Did you grow up there?
Bud and Janice – I am so glad you enjoyed it. There is so much interesting song writing material here in this country (as I am sure there is wherever one lives). I agree that helping others understand the culture of where you live is what folk music should be all about. I’m am so thankful for Band in a Box for helping me find my musical direction. I never knew I was a folk singer before I started with this wonderful program.
Floyd – Thanks for your kind comments. I must tell you I was just busy composing an email to you to see if you could help with a melody on this one (it had a hard time being born!!!) when this melody came to me and I went with it. The choir is done with BIABettes. I first did one “4 in unison“ (changed the gender to be male). Then I added in one with “4 down” – also with gender changed to be male. Lastly I added one “4 above” – gender female. I also ticked the “Large choir” effect on TC Helicon. The choir claps added the icing (wonderful things these user tracks).
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Hi Josie, The big ending with the choir really punches up the chorus and compliments your voice. Nice work on the video.
This song makes you sing along. Guenter
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Very nicely done, vocal is outstanding and the mix sounds great; thanks for sharing!
My TunesPsalm 57:7 My heart, O God, is steadfast, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music.
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Joanne:
I really like the song and the video. You did a good job on both.
Where did you find your footage to use?
John
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Hi Guenter and Robert. Thanks for listening and your kind comments.
John - the footage is mostly from a stock video site called videoblocks. You can get a free 7 day trial but you have to give your credit card details so make sure you cancel well before the 7 days are up.
Regards
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Josie,
So glad I found this one before it hit the second page. This is wonderful, that little vacation you took has really stirred up your creative juices as you have been writing gem after gem since your return.
Good on ya, your work keeps getting better with each new project.
Later,
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Hi, Josie !:))
I have listened to this new tune of yours several times and I must say I think it is my favorite Jotune now !:)) Just super !!!:))
Cheers Dani
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