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A Demon in a Bottle I first posted this song in 2015. Since then Danny's brother got him out of the nursing home and brought him to California to live with him and his wife. Last year they moved to Arizona but couldn't find a house for all of them, thus Danny lived a couple doors away. Danny drank a couple bottles of booze, had a heart attack, and died. The reason I'm posting this again is during this holiday season if you have a loved one that is a heavy drinker try to get them to stop. Danny wasn't even 60 yet. Below is the original post: As most of you probably know there has been no music posted by Pumping Station Road (PSR) in a long time. The reason is that one member, DannyW was, a very very heavy drinker, i.e. a big time alcoholic. About two years ago he was found laying on the floor of his apartment. As he lived alone no one knows how long he was there. He was rushed to the hospital where brain damage was diagnosed. He is now in a nursing home. He has lost a lot of his memory and he will never get out of the home. He was only 50 when this happened. This was devastating news for all of us but it hit BobH and StevenS, the other members of PSR, extremely hard. They had been friends for 40+ years while I only knew DannyW for about 5 years. Thus it took a long time for this song to develop. BobH had written some lyrics a couple of years ago but we could not find the right venue for them. I was listening to Annie Sellick's "Is You Is Or Is You Not My Baby/Hit the Road Jack" and a light bulb when off, OK I know Peggy Lee had this bass line first. So I quickly jotted down some chords in Band-in-a-Box and wrote a few lyrics. BobH came over, liked it so we finished the chord progression, finished the lyrics and laid down the vocal and lead guitar parts the same afternoon. An interesting afternoon it was! BobH, our usual lead singer, was having some timing issues with the vocal so I sang the song to give him the idea. He said 'That's it, we are keeping this track. You are the singer for this song"! I replied "OK if I'm going to sing you are playing the lead guitar part". Thus I am singing and he is playing lead. It is his first time recording a lead guitar part but what you hear was in one take, as was my vocal. The BiaB style is Laid Back Blues (65RS). We deleted everything but the drums. I modified the drums to better fit the song. BobH is playing the lead guitar. I am playing the rhythm guitar, bass guitar, and my keyboard controller using a B3 sound. Demon in a bottle verse 1 a demon - in a bottle got a hold - on me that demon - in a bottle wont - set me free verse 2 that demon - in the bottle stopped the only girl - that could be my wife that demon - in the bottle also took - away my life. Chorus I'm staring out my window I'm only 50 years old No place to walk no place to go just sitting here in this old folks home no where to go no where to go Verse 3 now I can't have any more cause they found me laying on the floor now I can't recall anything any more Chorus - Ending - that demon 3x that took my life
I think my wife has started to show the first signs of dementia.
She said she can't remember what she ever saw in me!
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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Sad story. Someday we'll hopefully have a better understanding of brain chemistry, and be able to treat alcoholism as a medical condition instead of as a moral failing. Until then... Well, we'll have to make do with what little we've got. Anyway, nice blues! The vocal sounds good with the slapback, and the lead was up to the task. 
-- 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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Yes Mario,
timely at any time but even more so now.
Musically this is really good.
The playing is ACE.
I do think the drums could be worked on as they sound thin & modern against the grittier stuff.
Terrific song & narrative.
Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
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Sad story. You capture the overall mood perfectly in this bluesy number. I'm taking it that you are the great electric guitar player. Well done. Good recording.
p.s. Thanks for the listen and comments on my song. I appreciate it.
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Very powerful song! And a very sad story.
Just the kind of slow blues groove I love. Good playing by all, and good vocal.
Thanks for the repost, I was here in 2015 but missed it first time around.
Best to you and yours for Christmas!
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Hello Mario
Is sad but really super played
Your guitar work is excellent. Also the guitar sounds
And your singing is so cool
Mario, what is that effect you use on your vocals ?
Or is that more than one?
Anyway it sounds really cool
Thanks for sharing
I wish you and your loved ones a great Christmas
and a healthy start into the new year 2022
Many greetings
Andi ;-)
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Wow, that'll change your Xmas perspective real quick. Good playing, I liked it despite the subject matter. That is one sad story. But a reality to more people than we'd like to think.
Windows 11, Intel Core I5 10400, 16 gig ram, Scarlett 2i2, Sony Acid Music Studio 10, BIAB 2020 UltraPlus Pak
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Mario,
Sad story.
I myself like to drink alcohol, so I thought I had to be careful.
Fortunately, as I get older, I drink less and manage to stay healthy.
Chord progressions, guitars, B3 organs, vocals, all are great.
Enjoyed my listen a lot.
Best regards.
Shigeki Adachi
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Listened to this morning. My first listen of the day. Wet eyes. Strong emotion. Beauty of the whole.
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Hi Mario,
what a sad back story ... But the way you picked up that severe issue is really most impressive. I think there's always a tragic background to every kind of addiction, be it alcohol, drugs or that terrible and fatal opiod abuse you're facing in the US these days
Since I wasn't here when you posted the song for the first time I could not know it. But I am very glad that you re-posted it now. It's so strong .. the economic backing, your impressive vocals and that lead guitar. really, really good on all levels.
Merry Christmas and a healthy 2022.
Stefan
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Hi Mario ...
Yep, very sad indeed. I have a brother-in-law who's a heavy drinker. I didn't know he was an alcoholic until I saw him sober once. But he's 78 y.o and still kicking.
Really nice blues song! Your vocal sounds spot on to me. And Bob did just fine on the lead guitar. I joined the site in 2011, I think, but I didn't recall having listened top this one in 2015. But, my memory often takes vacation. So ....
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year ...
Alan
BIAB 2024 Ultra Plus-all StylePaks*Win11*32GB DDR5*Rhyzen 9745x*AT 2035 Mic*Peavey Nashville 112 Amp*Ibanez ART120* Acoustic/Electric/Washburn D200S Acoustic*Stromberg Monterey Jazz Guitar Loops: https://aldavidmusic.wixsite.com/bestmusicloops
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Very close to home as Bud's father followed that path of destruction ... to the end.
Well done by all and on a bright spot it's the genre we most love.
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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Thanx everyone for listening and commenting.
Sorry Andi that was recorded on my old DAW and I do not have any of that data saved.
I think my wife has started to show the first signs of dementia.
She said she can't remember what she ever saw in me!
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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Good song Mario.
When you said "Danny" I was thinking you were talking about my friend Danny who also battled this same demon. He just lost his battle to this a few weeks ago. Aside from the alcoholism itself, he developed stomach cancer, pancreatic cancer and cirrhosis of the liver which all combined to take him out. He was an alcoholic, albeit a functioning alcoholic when I first met him in our late 20's.
It's a sad commentary what that demon in the bottle will do. It will send you into the pits of hell on earth.
Thanks for that song
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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Mario,
A sad story. Sorry for your loss.
An appropriately haunting song.
fj
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Mario,
Excellent job! Well performed and sung/told! Such sad subject matter that all too many people and their loved ones struggle with! Everyone struggles with something, sometimes it's not so apparently visible and sometimes it is like this poor individual! Your vocal, with the effects used, are very fitting for this one! Guitar is great! Thanks, Torrey
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Dark and foreboding, heartfelt and sad... you nailed it Mario. Your music is always so interesting.
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Herb, thanx for listening and I'm sorry for your loss. What alcoholics don't realize is what they are doing to themselves also affects those around them.
Floyd, Torrey, and Bloc-head thanx for listening and commenting.
I think my wife has started to show the first signs of dementia.
She said she can't remember what she ever saw in me!
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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Incredibly gripping and soulful blues!! A very sad story. I have a few friends I've lost to alcohol and many others who have escaped thus far. Thanks for posting again. Happy New Year Mario!! Take care. Greg
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A very soulful and heartfelt vocal---a most excellent performance! I can see why Bob wanted to keep your vocal track.
A most tragic tale that touches just about everyone.
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