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Through the 16th and 17th centuries, European explorers searched for a legendary (mythical) "City Of Gold" - El Dorado - in the New World ... (see below links to learn more) https://www.nationalgeographic.com/archaeology-and-history/archaeology/el-dorado/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/El_DoradoIn 1849, Edgar Allan Poe published a poem about the search for El Dorado. I will post that below... In 1979, The Philadelphia Inquirer published a 2-page story about an all-night diner in the bowels of downtown Philly... and the cast of characters that found their way there in the wee hours of the morning. The El Dorado Diner. (I tried, but could not find an archve of the story). I combined it all into a song (a rather long one - there was a lot to tell). There are references to the Poe poem - which you will only "get" by reading the poem (the post below this - it's quite short). Most of the characters in the song came from the Philadelphia Inquirer article. Telling the story (singing the song) with just an acoustic guitar is "okay", but lacks something... That "something" is now available (to me... to us), by the magic that is provided by Band-In-A-Box. May the golden gods bless everyone at PG Music for giving us this incredible gift!!! EL DORADO he stops in the door til he's noticed shouts that he's journeyed long from somewhere in space but they all know his face old man, quit putting us on the food and the coffee are cheap here so the talk fits in just fine spaceman orders pot roast potatoes and gravy gets the coffee for his panhandled dimes your search for el dorado is coming to a close the city is cold where shadows unfold to reveal what the gallant night knows they drink their filled of what they can afford then flock to the el dorado the bars have all closed each of them knows there's no other place he can go the sign in the window invites "tables for ladies" but no lady would ever come near so they provide their own company talk to themselves or to the shadows that directed them here your search for el dorado is coming to a close the city is cold where shadows unfold to reveal what the gallant night knows the general talks of the big war he bought his bravery from a man down the street a pawn shop hero battling beer oh, too often he falls in defeat joseph is a prophet of doom the stock market will crash, wait and see so jimmy gave his savings for holy cross in the seventh doc gives them opinions for free your search for el dorado is coming to a close the city is cold where shadows unfold to reveal what the gallant night knows swaying to the jukebox while doc sing along JP serves his ghetto gourmets a spatula for his septor a crew cut for his crown his kingdom, this all-night cafe jimmy and the general dream of winning the spaceman and the prophet watch the door JP and the ladies who never come near dance one final waltz 'round the floor your search for el dorado is coming to a close the city is cold where shadows unfold to reveal what the gallant night knows the gallant night knows The Golden BAND: Style is _JBALADP.STY (Jazz Ballad with Piano (85 RS)) RealTracks in style: ~481:Bass, Acoustic, Jazz Ballad Sw 085 RealTracks in style: ~487:Piano, Acoustic, Rhythm Jazz Ballad Sw 085 RealTracks in song: ~750:Sax, Tenor, Soloist Jazz Ballad Sw 060 RealDrums in style: JazzTerryClarke^02-a,b:Brushes I hope you enjoy the journey. The search continues... floyd
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Eldorado
By Edgar Allan Poe
Gaily bedight,
A gallant knight,
In sunshine and in shadow,
Had journeyed long,
Singing a song,
In search of Eldorado.
But he grew old—
This knight so bold—
And o’er his heart a shadow—
Fell as he found
No spot of ground
That looked like Eldorado.
And, as his strength
Failed him at length,
He met a pilgrim shadow—
‘Shadow,’ said he,
‘Where can it be—
This land of Eldorado?’
‘Over the Mountains
Of the Moon,
Down the Valley of the Shadow,
Ride, boldly ride,’
The shade replied,—
‘If you seek for Eldorado!’
Source: The Complete Poems and Stories of Edgar Allan Poe
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floyd,
Well that was stunning. Wonderful story telling, melodic chorus, nice jazz band (an unexpected twist) and no surprises an excellent vocal.
Lots of talent on display and another excellent song to add to your list.
Peter
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Well, it's exactly as you described it, with exactly the same level of polish I'd expect from you. More importantly, I enjoyed the listen. 
-- David Cuny My virtual singer development blogVocal control, you say. Never heard of it. Is that some kind of ProTools thing?BiaB 2025 | Windows 11 | Reaper | Way too many VSTis.
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WOW!!!!!!! What a tale, what a vibe, what a production, and WHAT a vocal....love the performance and the rich sound!! This is absolutely captivating, ABSOLUTELY!!! Some of the best writing I've ever heard ANYWHERE!!!! This is pure DORADO!!!!! Wonderful Floyd!!!! Take care. Greg
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A bit of Tom Waits with a gallery of characters ankle deep in life archived by an excellent melody and a fine, fine, fine voice.
Up there with the sipp'n whiskey Floyd.
Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
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Well, that has to be one of the coolest songs I've ever heard on this site!
Really well done, Floyd, loved everything about it.
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Floyd,
I'm blown away by this song...
I love the way you have put this together and also the way it showcases your versatility.
"swaying to the jukebox while doc sing along
JP serves his ghetto gourmets
a spatula for his septor
a crew cut for his crown
his kingdom, this all-night cafe"
AMAZING STUFF!
Bob
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Great work on this Floyd! Quite enjoyed the overall vibe to this. Thanks for sharing!
Cheers,
Joe
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gallant night (knight) love it
stretching the writing muscles !!!
a fine write, great presentation
reminds me of BJ Piano Man (great scenery, fleshed out characters)
It's like I know these guys, I've wandered into this place needing a late night caffeine fix
I can smell the grease and feel the dying dreams
feel a bond with these soldiers
enjoyed the heck out of it,
Kenny
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Floyd, This is really cool. I like arrangement you chose for this. I can totally hear Tom Waits doing this. In fact, it sounded very much like a Tom Waits song to me, just sung by someone with a silky smooth voice, and not a truck load of gravel. Great write man!!!
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Pure wonderful story telling here. Love all the imaginary. I sure it was challenging to write but you pulled it off masterfully. Reminds me of Jimmy Webb's storytelling. The vocals are excellent and love the foreboding melody. The instruments provide a sassy, jazzy sort of 1920s backdrop for this story. Great prosody!!!
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what a mix, what a story, what a song, and what a singer.
Excellent sound all round on this.
Really enjoyed this.
win 10 64 bit 16gb,i7 chip, ssd 500gb, m-audio air, ,Roland BK-7M, 1000,shure sm7b,sonar,acid,mixcraft, variety of plugins.Sample tank 3,Kontakt. TC Helicon Voicelive 3 2 . https://beatmaster1.bandcamp.com/releases
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floyd,
Well that was stunning. Wonderful story telling, melodic chorus, nice jazz band (an unexpected twist) and no surprises an excellent vocal.
Lots of talent on display and another excellent song to add to your list.
Peter Thanks for that very nice review, Peter!!
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Floyd,
One of the best lyrics I`ve ever read on this site ( yup, they make a darn good read without the music),and the music is just right to get the feel of that diner and those brokedown characters.
Brilliant in all respects!
Robert
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Well, it's exactly as you described it, with exactly the same level of polish I'd expect from you. More importantly, I enjoyed the listen. Thanks, David. Glad you enjoyed it...
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cool take on some jazz. I like reading the poems of the classic writers.
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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Very nice feel. The story and the band bring images from time of gold rush. Excellent arrangement and vocals.
Janne
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With my bronchitis I'm not supposed to be around smoke; but this club was worth it! I'm not kidding when I say I NEVER know what your songs are going to sound like. Seriously. Over the course of a few months think of the styles you've covered.Saying it's a Floyd Jane song only gives you that it will be a well written, well produced, well delivered song. Beyond that...you'll just have to listen. You know I love the "mood" a song creates. This is ALL mood with a great story. What an ambitious lyric write that is pulled off (seemingly) effortlessly. to reveal what the gallant night knows This line specifically gave me goose bumps/pimples/? with how you sang it. Your timbre was PERFECTION for it. The whole song was sung really well. I found the bongo solo in the middle out of place though (just seeing if you are paying attention). The sax was beautiful as was the treatment of the bass and drums. That's all I've got without going on too long. Great song man! Great song!
Chad (Hope that makes it easier)
TEMPO TANTRUM: What a lead singer has when they can't stay in time.
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Excellently thought out, written, sung, & produced...
I also liked the play on Poe's words, like your use of "to reveal what the gallant night knows"...
It makes me wonder...
If Poe were alive today would he only be a poet, or would he also be a songwriter presenting songs on this forum?
Jim
†=☮&♥
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