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The Bitter Taste Of Red Beginning 20 years ago with a something a friend said about her childhood and since then going in different directions with how to write a song about family violence, I`m almost sure this is captures the feeling I had at the time. Listens appreciated and comments welcome. Style is _MILESIX.STY (Mile Six Slow Even-16 Americana) RealTracks in style: 2877:Bass, Acoustic, AmericanaSlow16thsByron Ev16 060 RealTracks in song: 2878:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm AmericanaSlow16thsBrent Ev16 060 RealTracks in style: 1596:Guitar, Acoustic, Strumming Pop16ths Ev16 065 RealTracks in song RT3058 Acoustic guitar RealDrums in style: AmericanaRoots16th^01-a:Toms, b:Snare The Bitter Taste Of Red can you live another life erase the senses of the heart make a blessing from a curse change the arc of a star all the rainbow ribbons momma fastened through her hair Jenny keeps with daddy`s laugh like braids through despair still feels her friend`s eyes they never lingered or traced eyes that saw past the mark upon her face the cool touch of blue cool touch of blue that`s how she learnt the cool touch of blue fell into a fire when she was born into this world Jenny turned herself to water like a helpful little girl one spark in the silence between a woman and a man picked up her bucket into the flames she ran the bitter taste of red bitter taste of red that`s how she learnt the bitter taste of red heaven swirled with hell by strangers she was raised I`m from a nuclear family Jenny said but she kept safe all the rainbow ribbons momma fastened through her hair with daddy`s laugh in a treasure box called can`t go back there the healing sound of time healing sound of time that`s how she learnt the healing sound of time the bitter taste of red bitter taste of red that`s how she learnt the bitter taste of red © Robert Cordrey Oct. 2018
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Beautiful song Robert. Such a sad story. You vocal was just perfect for the song. Excellent choice of instruments for the song. Production was first class. Well done
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Man, what a powerful song! So well written ... you are a true wordsmith, Robert.
Great melody, and possibly your best vocal to date, love the harmonies!
My new favorite song from you, well done!
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Robert,
A very powerful, emotion-packed song.
The change at each chorus is exceptional.
Awesome use of the BIAB Americana instruments.
Very well done.
fj
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Journeyman
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That's a hard subject to write about but you've done it nicely. Love the harmonies. Sounds very lonesome.
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Robert,
This is a great folk song... I love the storytelling and delivery. The mix and instrumentation is perfect and the build towards the middle with the whole band is really special - drives it home.
Very much enjoyed and going back for another listen.
Bob
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Wow, you are really in shape here!
Mysterious, dynamic, creative and a distinct Neil Young, Roy Orbison feel to it.
GREAT WORK!
Rob and Anne-Marie
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Very nice, beautiful and sad song. I like your voice which compliment the lyrics perfectly.
Very well done!
Thanks for sharing!
Will
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The double vocal of the 1st stanza was off putting but that worry dissipated a few seconds later when the verse began.
The harmony vocal in the chorus is more subtle, more accurately matched as a double and more controlled.
A very really good essay of a difficult subject.
Terrific stuff.
Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
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Dave, That`s very supportive- sometimes sitting on things you`ve written and put down unfinished many times you wonder if the plot`s been lost. I`m so glad you liked this one... and really I only got into writing lyrics because I knew I`d never be the guitarist I heard in my head! Beautiful song Robert. Such a sad story. You vocal was just perfect for the song. Excellent choice of instruments for the song. Production was first class. Well done Thank you, Scott...the next one has to go somewhere more fun! Robert,
A very powerful, emotion-packed song.
The change at each chorus is exceptional.
Awesome use of the BIAB Americana instruments.
Very well done.
fj Thanks for the positives.I do like the feeling of those Americana tracks. Robert
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Hello, "Robertkc"...
Once again, in my experience of listening to your songs, you write some damn-near pure poetry that alternately reveals and obscures its meanings like a badly injured memory that loses, and then finds, finds and loses little bits and pieces of scenes from fateful experiences that it doesn't want to remember.
"The Bitter Taste of Red" is impressionistic in its impact, helped along by a musical arrangement that's so intimate and stripped-down that what's left is powerful precisely because of its austerity.
This is a very arresting production, lyrically and musically.
Meditating on it,
LOREN
"Music is what feelings sound like."-- borrowed from a Cakewalk Music Creator forum member, "Mamabear".
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Robert
Beautifully and sensitively done. A fine vocal, strong and poetic lyrics and a nice choice of band.
Really very impressive.
Peter
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Robert,
Beautiful, poignant and poetic, both musically and lyrically.
I really enjoyed this.
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Dark but beautiful...
Shades of Simon and Garfunkel... Nicely done!
Jim
†=☮&♥
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Robert that was fantastic! What a lyric to go with the PERFECT music bed! One of your best IMHO! Thanks, T
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That's a hard subject to write about but you've done it nicely. Love the harmonies. Sounds very lonesome. Thank you! Robert,
This is a great folk song... I love the storytelling and delivery. The mix and instrumentation is perfect and the build towards the middle with the whole band is really special - drives it home.
Very much enjoyed and going back for another listen.
Bob Bob, Its good to hear I got that arrangement right- listening to your productions might be having an influence! Thanks for your comments. Wow, you are really in shape here!
Mysterious, dynamic, creative and a distinct Neil Young, Roy Orbison feel to it.
GREAT WORK!
Rob and Anne-Marie Rob & Anne-Marie, That`s a great endorsement - I`m glad you enjoyed this. Very nice, beautiful and sad song. I like your voice which compliment the lyrics perfectly.
Very well done!
Thanks for sharing!
Will Will, Thanks for listening and commenting. The double vocal of the 1st stanza was off putting but that worry dissipated a few seconds later when the verse began.
The harmony vocal in the chorus is more subtle, more accurately matched as a double and more controlled.
A very really good essay of a difficult subject.
Terrific stuff. I knew that choice to make the harmony vocal the lead for the opening might not work for all tastes - I like the way it begins the song with a vulnerable feel ( the child`s voice), but I`ll probably revisit the balance later. Good and helpful comments - thank you! Robert
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Very powerful Robert!! Very dark! Music creates the perfect mood. Good arrangement and vocal. Well done!! Take care. Greg
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Excellent song Robert. I figured to myself a final as Dire Strait's "Brothers in Arm" and a more long fading out ending.
Surely one of your best.
Sergio
Sergio
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Dark but beautiful...
Shades of Simon and Garfunkel... Nicely done! I think Jim summed it up pretty good with just a few words. I fully agree with the S & G analogy. Excellent work on this. You do these sad folk songs so dang good! Excellent! Alan
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Hello, "Robertkc"...
Once again, in my experience of listening to your songs, you write some damn-near pure poetry that alternately reveals and obscures its meanings like a badly injured memory that loses, and then finds, finds and loses little bits and pieces of scenes from fateful experiences that it doesn't want to remember.
"The Bitter Taste of Red" is impressionistic in its impact, helped along by a musical arrangement that's so intimate and stripped-down that what's left is powerful precisely because of its austerity.
This is a very arresting production, lyrically and musically.
Meditating on it,
LOREN
Loren, How to write a song about family violence avoiding cliche`s and showing rather than telling? It had to be "impressionistic" as you say. Once again your review is most interesting and supportive because I know you really listened. Thank you! Robert Robert
Beautifully and sensitively done. A fine vocal, strong and poetic lyrics and a nice choice of band.
Really very impressive.
Peter
Thank you Peter!
Robert,
Beautiful, poignant and poetic, both musically and lyrically.
I really enjoyed this.
David, Thanks for your listen and positive comments. Dark but beautiful...
Shades of Simon and Garfunkel... Nicely done! Thanks for that, Jim Robert that was fantastic! What a lyric to go with the PERFECT music bed! One of your best IMHO! Thanks, T I`m happy you liked this Torrey! Robert
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Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
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Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: AI Stems & Notes - split polyphonic audio into instruments and transcribe
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We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!
Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
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XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
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Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!
Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 21.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 21 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
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