Originally Posted By: Scott C
Cool tune Hans. Super vocal and backtrack. Just loved the intro. Well done


Hi Scott, sorry I mixed you up with Ray. You are the real Spirit levels! I hope I don't make these mistakes again. But thanks for your nice words on the song. Although I will come with a revised version. almost the same lyrics but other melody and setup.

Originally Posted By: TuneMonger
I liked the bluesy energy of this a lot. I think it's hard to write about politics in a song without coming off with a lot of awkward lyric lines. Certainly the Haight-Ashbury groups of the late sixties and others have done it well, but not always. One of my favorite groups from that time, Quicksilver, had a problem with awkward political lyric lines, IMHO. OTOH, Paul Kantner of Jefferson Airplane was so good at it he was nominated for a Pulitzer prize. I think you've done well and certainly the message sits well with me as I cannot stand the guy. I know many think he's great, even some Norwegian who nominated him for the Nobel Peace Prize, WTF? Well, good song, congrats, hope I haven't started a flame war.


Hi Tunemonger, I thank you for your very nice words and your history-view of bands and politics. I like reading these things. Think because my father was a teacher in History. But as I wrote to scott, I will come with a revised version of the song. One that made my feet tap! Oh, and I surely hope you started that flame war! What I heard is a bit scarry...

Originally Posted By: edshaw
Nice job, Hans. From the point of view of a conservative American, knowing that the world news in Holland paints a negative picture of current USA economic policy in Europe, just as it does here, is not surprising. Nederlandsche Bank is one of the owners of the Bank of International Settlements, (BIS,) the most powerful bank in the Western Hemisphere. Other major stockholders include the Federal Reserve Bank, Bank of England, Bank of Italy, Bank of Canada, and Swiss National Bank. You probably know, facilities that manufacture consumables, technology, medicine, steel, and many other components of the American economy were transferred to Asia, where wages and expenses are a fraction of what they are, here. This created a veritable bonanza for the international central banks, including our (foreign-owned) Federal Reserve, along with Nederlandsche Bank, (Dutch-owned) and others who bankrolled the development of the Asian Rim. As Vladimir Putin has put it, "The bankers' mistake was failing to include America's middle class in a share of the bounty." It's been on us. It's been a blast. Turn out the lights, Hans, the party's over.


Hi Ed, we will never turn out the light until we're over! I think the dutch did and do a lot of less ethical things when it comes to trade. I sometimes feel ashamed on that. I still think I am not conservative, although I have some doubts. But conservative isn't allways bad. I like to dream how to reach a better, more equal life on earth, but that has a (too) long way to go. But let us hope on good times to come. And for your words on the song: I revised it and will post it shortly after answering these posts on the song. Thank you very much for your thoughts, Ed.

Originally Posted By: jannesan
Excellent combination of funk and blues. The solo guitar is very good selection. Great vocals and I really like the backing gospel vocal style. The lyrics are maybe bit too straightforward and aggressive to my taste, but anyway the message fits the style and in my mind raises again the question can a democratically elected person end democracy without his supporters opposing it...
Janne


Hi Janne, thank you too for your nice comment on the song, although you mentioned the lyrics are a bit blunt, where I thought I was too polite. A nice difference in perspective, don't you think? But your last sentence is exactly what worries me the most these days. The division in the US weakens not only the US. And what can we do about that? I can't vote.

Originally Posted By: PeterF
Hans
Nice overall sound, vocal and the guitar was an inspired choice.
Peter


Hi Peter, thanks for these nice words. But as I said (above) I started to dislike the song myself. Not the lyrics of course. So I revised it. Take a listen if you like. Maybe you like that song too (?)

Originally Posted By: Leon1
I like it, Hans. The mix sounds good to me. Love that guitar and the way you've done the choruses. The lyrics aren't subtle, but it's very difficult to be subtle about your protagonist.
Regards,
Leon


Hi Leon, thanks for what you said. And you said the same as Janne about the somewhat blunt lyrics. But that man beats me with nasty words. And I used words he used. I am glad you understood my 'protagonist' can't be treated subtle.

Originally Posted By: Dero13
Hello Birchwood,
I loved the lyrics which reflect reality. Your arrangement lends itself perfectly to the content of your words. It's well thought out and well done.
Kindly

Dero13
alias JaniJackFlash


Hi Dero13, it was nice reading your comment. Still I changed the song because it started to bore me a little. Hope you have time and interest to listen to it and tell me what you think.

Thank you all for listening,
Hans

Hans Berkhout
(Birchwood)
https://soundcloud.com/user-296497130