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Thats Not my Business on Youtube Thats Not my Business on Soundcloud Well today we are holding our 5th national elections since becoming a full democracy in 1994. I composed this song a while back but thought it was appropriate to record it today in honour of all those folk who didn't just sit back and say "That's not my business" and got off their butts and voted. The footage is taken at the voting stations at Parkhurst Primary school (the suburb where I live) and Craighall Primary school (where my kids go to school) Realtracks are: RealTracks in style: 1415:Bass, Electric, PopSw16RootFive Sw16 075 RealTracks in style: 625:Guitar, Acoustic, Strumming Rascal Sw 075 RealTracks in style: 1599:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm Pop16thsA-B Ev16 065 RealDrums in style: NashCrossovrSw16^01-a:SideStick, Closed HiHat , b:Snare, Closed Hat I played the rhythm guitar. The harmonies are the BIABettes. He was born in Alexandra 1985 Skipped school and sold sweet mango Just to stay alive Spent a night in Brixton Jail Prison ain't no shame He can read the Sowetan Daily He can write his name He knows he knows The country is crying He knows he knows The country is dying That's not my business He says that's not my business Married a girl as pretty as lipstick And Pretty is her name Sometimes they argue She has a blue eye He never feels the shame Don't mix with politics That's not my business Heard of Zuma of Malema That's not my business Comments are most welcome as usual.
Last edited by JosieC; 05/07/14 06:19 AM.
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Cool song. You have a good eye to pick out the ordinary things in life that make up a good song and the talent to put it all together.
It's good to see long lines of people in line to vote..... we had primary elections here yesterday and I was the only voter in the whole place.... one other came in as I was leaving.... such apathy
Good song... I stand by my previous comments saying you sound like Joan Baez a bit..... she was a protest singer from the 60's over here.
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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Hi Josie,
I like the way you are committed with your songs.
You have grown a real protest singer. That's why Herb
compares you with Joan Baez. I would be proud.
Nice voice and harmonies.
Guenter
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Hey Josie: Enjoyed your song, your voice (more Judy Collins to me) and your activism. In light of the elections, I worked this little ditty up a couple of years ago for FAWM... You might enjoy it. It's not Paul Simon, but... My Name is Jacob Zuma
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Hey Jo !
This must be one of your absolute best !
I liked everything about this tune and
your vocals most of all !:))
Cheers
Dani
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Josie, Nice vocal and harmonies. The mix sounds good. You are tackling some important subjects and doing a very nice job of raising awareness on these issues. I must say they ought to take away voting rights for a man who beats his wife. Good job. Tom
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Enjoyed this one. Beautifully done. Fairly strong stuff. Listened twice and found I enjoyed the soundcloud better. Could focus on the song more. I like 'the country is dying' and notice you changed that line in your vocal. Was it a bit too dramatic? Cheers.
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Joanne,
Your productions and mixes get better with each song. You've really raised your own bar with this one. The instrumentation is perfect for the message presentation. Your best vocal recording-wise, too. All perfectly balanced. Nice harmonies, too.
I like it. And as others have said, great that you are raising your voice - and using your talents for the cause...
floyd
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Absolutely top notch! The vocals, the important lyric, the arrangement and the mix all work together to yield an outstanding production. Bravo!
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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Hi Herb – Thank you once again for your most thoughtful comments (and your association of me with Joan Baez is always much appreciated). Your anecdote about the voting in the US made me smile. I think it is still a novelty for many in South Africa. Plus people are starting to see the importance of voting. If you don’t vote, you can’t whine…not so?
Hi Guenter – Thank for your kind comments. I would love to be seen as something of a protest singer and am very proud to be likened to Joan Baez. Long before I even knew what “folk” music was I was inspired by her. I read her biography a while back. What a woman! I also found, amongst my pile of music, a songbook of hers with sheet music for about 150 traditional folk songs. Not sure where on earth it came from but it has definitely inspired me to take on a few of those tunes.
Hi Brallan – Loved your ditty on Jacob Zuma. Especially the shower bit. I am sure you have heard about a cartoonist called Shapiro who always depicts Zuma with a shower head hanging around. Also an honour to be likened to Judy Collins.
Hi Dani – Always such a pleasure to read your enthusiastic comments.
Tommy – Thanks for that. I was wondering what to do with this song and then woke up on election day and thought I must record it. Agree what you say about a man who beats his wife. All too prevalent in our society though
Hi RichMac – Thanks for you nice comments. I included the soundcloud link because I know some folk here prefer to listen to the songs without the distraction of the video…For Facebook the video always works better!
Hi Floyd, Janice and Bud – Praise from you guys, especially on vocals and on instrumentation is always so appreciated because I aspire to record and produce the type of music you guys do. I am starting to use that “double tracking” technique on the guitar parts. Also getting brave enough to record my own acoustic guitar which is always challenging.
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Absolutely top notch! The vocals, the important lyric, the arrangement and the mix all work together to yield an outstanding production. Bravo! Yep. Outstanding song and performance! 'Also getting brave enough to record my own acoustic guitar which is always challenging.' Go for it!
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Joanne,
It was great seeing all those people lined up to vote. Hats off to you for singing about your beliefs in the tradition of all the great women of folk music.
Looks good and you're getting a great sound.
Josie
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Hi Scott - Ha...You picked up on me saying I am now brave enough to record my guitar!! Getting very brave in my old age!! Glad you enjoyed it.
Josie - Thanks so much. Nice to be likened to the great woman of folk music. I really appreciate it. I do find these type of songs easier to write because I am passionate about these issues.
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Joanne,
You have a real gift for this type of music. Great song and delivery - very much enjoyed it.
Bob
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Hi Joanne:
You're writing and producing from the heart. Good for you.
I really like the line "Married a girl pretty as lipstick" -- nice one
I'm assuming you shot the video as well? Cool.
Keep up the good work.
John
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Josie,
They keep getting better . . . Unlike others I did not hear a song of "protest" here, what I heard was a song of a call to awareness to remind people that voting is indeed very important.
Good on ya Josie!
later,
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Hi Bob. I never get bored of your compliments. Thanks so much!
John - Glad you enjoyed it. And yes, I shot the video at two local polling stations on election day.
Danny - Thanks so much. I suppose it is really a call to awareness for all those who don;t think that their vote makes a difference.
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Beautiful vocal, well written and the production is excellent 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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Very cool and thoughtful song!! Apathy is truly a tragic thing. Take care. Greg
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Hi Robert
Thanks so much for listening and commenting.
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